Question:

Is the moon actually closer at times?

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I swear it looks so big the last few nights! (Florida)

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  1. Previous poster is WRONG.  Yes, the moon's apparent size is not related to it's distance, but it DOES come closer and farther.

    363,300 km, at perigee, 405,500 km at apogee.  That is a difference in distance of roughly 42,200 km between it's closest and furthest distance over it's orbital period of roughly 28/29 days.

    But that's just about 11% distance, the apparent change of size of the moon, when being viewed has less to do with distance, and more to do with angle, relative to your location and season.


  2. dont confuse size of moon with its distance with earth, size of moon changes periodically with full moon  or it completely disappears , depanding on its reflection or shade.

    by the way moon rotate in fixed orbit in fixed radius, so its distance remains same

  3. Orbits are eliptical, not circular. The moon's orbit does, therefore, move it away from and closer to the earth. (So, yes, the moon is actually closer at times).

  4. The moon does not have  a perfect-circle orbit, so it is slightly closer at times than others.   But the difference is so slight that it will not occupy noticeably more of the sky when at its closest compared to when it is farthest away.

    What makes the moon appear larger is proximity to features on the horizon.  When the full moon is low on the horizon, we can easily compare it to trees, buildings, hills on the horizon.  Of we are far away from them they will be very small compared to the moon, but as we know how big those objects are, we see the moon's size relative the the 'known' size of those objects.

    You can test this your self.  When you see what looks like a very large moon seeming to rise over a distant building or tree, hold your arm straight out with thumb up.  Close one eye and position your thumb to completely cover the moon.   Then do the same for the objects on the horizon that look smaller than the moon.   So you can see that the moon is no bigger around than your thumb at arms length .  Do it again a few hours later when the moon is high in the sky and you will see the moon in relation to the size of your thumb has not changed.

  5. As moon goes round the earth in an eliptical obit,the distance varies and the size changes,But it can not be observed with out instrumental aid

    At the time of Moon rise or moon set,it looks bigger.But it is only an illusion.If you measure the angular diameter,it will be same both at Moon rise and when the moon above your head.

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